Emeka

Egbuka

Egbuka (6’1/205) earned a starting role in his second season and immediately ran with it to the tune of 74 receptions, 1,151 yards, and 10 scores. He added two touchdowns on the ground. Egbuka thrived in the No. 2 role opposite Marvin Harrison Jr. while catching passes from C.J. Stroud. An ankle injury derailed his junior season and he returned for a final outing in 2024. Unfortunately for Egbuka, Ohio State had freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith in the fold and Egbuka was forced to play second fiddle to a future star once again. He did, however, top 1,000 yards with double-digit touchdowns for the second time. Egbuka ran three-quarters of his career routes from the slot and will start his career primarily as a slot receiver for Tampa Bay. That makes him a slightly awkward fit for a team that just brought back Chris Godwin on a three-year deal. Godwin is currently recovering from a dislocated ankle, but his contract suggests Tampa Bay isn’t worried about his long-term outlook. It’s also a nightmare scenario for Jalen McMillan, who broke out late in 2024 after Godwin went down. McMillan may struggle to earn playing time in the now-crowded receiver room.

The two players have reportedly “won the interview process” with their character and talent. Schrager adds that “you will not find a coach or general manager who doesn’t just rave about both young men.” Egbuka was a three-year starter at Ohio State and averaged 2.61 yards per route run over the course of his college career. Walker played a multifaceted role in Georgia’s defense, lining up as an edge rusher and inside linebacker. He led his team with 28 quarterback pressures and a 17.2 percent pass-rush win rate this year.

The Cowboys are in need of a viable WR2 opposite CeeDee Lamb, while the Packers are simply looking for a true WR1 to pair with their slew of productive receivers. Egbuka is a fourth-year prospect who broke out in 2022 to the tune of 74-1,151-10. Injuries limited him to 10 games in 2023, and he saw his production dip as a result, but he closed out his career with 81 catches for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns. At 6-foot-1 and 202 pounds, Egbuka has the size to play on the outside but played 73 percent of his snaps from the slot. He’d make for a solid addition to either team, but with Jayden Reed heavily occupying the slot in Green Bay, it’s hard to know how Egbuka would factor into the Packers’ offense if they selected him.

Per 247 Sports’ composite rating, Egbuka is the best wide receiver recruit in the country. At 6-foot-1 and 190-pounds, Egbuka is not the biggest wide receiver out there, but his blend of speed and explosion through his routes makes him an absolute nightmare in an Ohio State offense that does well to generate space. Egbuka even posted a 4.42 40-yard dash time as a junior during a national high school combine, proving himself as one of the country’s premier blazers. Ohio State’s WR room is always stacked, but do not be shocked if Egbuka comes in to contribute right away. Egbuka is now Ohio State’s 21st 2021 commit and their second-highest rated of the bunch, trailing only DE Jack Sawyer.

While the Tigers did make Egbuka’s top-four list released in May, they look to have serious ground to make up if they’re to realistically be in play for the five-star wideout when he announces his pledge. Ohio State, Oklahoma and Washington are the other three contenders in play, here. The Sooners are the only team in this lot which the Steilacoom, Washington, native has yet to visit, but OU has aced it virtually with the five-star wideout. OSU looks to be the favorite in this race as things currently stand, but Egbuka would like to take further visits down the road if allowed and there’s no indication that he’s on the verge of a commitment (though we have seen a number of prospects push their announcements up due to the coronavirus). On the 247Sports composite board, Egbuka sits atop a lofty perch, ranking as the No. 8 overall prospect in the 2021 class.

A month ago, 247 Sports wrote Washington, Ohio State, and Clemson, in no particular order, were the top schools in the running for Egbuka. Now, Rivals has honed in the search a bit, ranking Ohio State as the clear best school and fit for Egbuka. Gorney writes that “no team in the country is recruiting wide receivers as well as Ohio State” and the Buckeyes plan on making Egbuka (6'1/190) next on their list of elite WR recruits. A tall, fast WR with experience playing CB, Egbuka is the perfect ball of potential for a powerhouse passing program such as Ohio State.

Egbuka (6'1/190) is additionally intrigued by Alabama, LSU, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Stanford and USC. But those programs look like they’ll have a little ground to make up, here. The Steilacoom, Washington, native is a beaut when it comes to body control and the tough catch. An extremely tough, physically-minded wideout. On the 247Sports composite board, Egbuka slots in at a lofty No. 7 overall.

Egbuka (6'1/190) is dealing with a top-10 of Alabama, Clemson, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Stanford, USC and Washington. While there are four Pac-12 programs among that lot, the Steilacoom, Washington, native told 247Sports that he would prefer to use his allotted five officials on programs which are off his relative regional radar. We will pass along word once Egbuka begins to lock in his OVs. On the field, Egbuka plays with a Bulldog mentality, one which he couples with plenty of downfield speed. The 247Sports composite board sees the five-star wideout home as the No. 9 overall prospect in the 2021 class.

Alabama, Clemson, Texas and UCLA have all extended scholarship offers to Egbuka (6'1/190) this spring, with the five-star having scheduled unofficial visit to Alabama, Clemson and LSU for next month. According to the scouting report put together by 247Sports, Egbuka “has elite size and strength to go with speed, and he plays to his size and shows good physicality. He ran the 40 in 4.42 seconds at the All-American Combine in January, providing numerical proof that he’s isn’t lacking in the speed department. Don’t expect a decision from Egbuka any time soon, as he has a lot of high-level offers to sift through before he commits.

Egbuka (6'1/190) received his offer less than a week after he revealed plans to visit Clemson, Alabama and LSU unofficially during the month of July. He’s already taken an unofficial visit to Stanford, and by the time the talented athlete is ready to pick a school he won’t lack for options. Egbuka is the top-ranked athlete in the 2021 class by 247Sports, with the opinion of some being that his future at the college level lies at wide receiver.